Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club’s return to the John Foord Oval and netball court Easter Saturday was overwhelmingly supported with a bumper, estimated 3,500 crowd.
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The whole Ovens and Murray league waited in anticipation since February 2023 to see if the Roos could make the return.
The long and challenging journey for the reset regarding senior football and netball teams after foregoing season 2023 due to devasting floods in November 2022 and a player shortage was a huge success with the local community.
The Roos hosted Albury in Round 1 of season 2024. The big crowd gave a huge round of applause as players took to the immaculately presented ground.
A minute’s silence took place in respect of Corowa Football Netball Club stalwart Craig Spencer before both the 1.00pm start netball and 2.00pm football senior matches.
Die-hard local supporters loved seeing their team back. Corowa favourite, AFL great John Longmire said it was great to see Corowa Rutherglen return to the Ovens and Murray last weekend.
“It’s a real credit to the volunteers and players who have made this happen,” the Sydney Swans coach told The Free Pess.
“It’s the first and most important step back in which is great for the local community as well as the broader competition.”
It was a long and challenging journey to have Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club back playing, with makeshift facilities including those for changerooms, a situation acknowledged by opposing club officials and players.
Albury president Lindsay Rollings said it was “amazing all the hard work done to get the club back on the park again”. “How good it is to have 10 teams back in the O and M and do away with the bye,” he said.
A Grade Albury netball playing coach Skye Hillier said it was very exciting to have the Roos back. “I’m stoked to have them back in the league,” she said. Of the changerooms, Skye said: “It’ll do. We want to play netball.”
There were mixed results for the Roos. Reigning league best and fairest Sophie Hanrahan superbly led the senior netball team to victory whilst the Joe Hansen-led football team went down to a totally Tigerish Albury side.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club President Graham Hosier loved seeing the big crowd welcome back the footballers and netballers.
“It’s magic to be back. It’s a combination of a lot of hard work. There was full belief amongst the board the football and netball departments,” he said.
“It’s massive. To see all the people here today is just the greatest. To see the community here today is just the greatest – it proves Corowa wants a football netball club.”
The president expressed his appreciation to all the hard-working volunteers undertaking the wide variety of work required to prepare for the club’s return and of course on game day.
“I also want to thank Club Corowa for their wonderful support, especially with their container canteen and to Federation Council enabling temporary changerooms,” Mr Hosier said.
“Our club is very appreciative of all our sponsors and volunteers.” Well done to you too, Mr President.
Seniors
Plenty of emotions could be felt in the lead up to the senior game on the weekend. Albury however were not fazed by the occasion and started extremely hot. The travelling team piled on five goals in as many minutes to kick their season off with a bang.
The pace of the first quarter was frenetic and extremely impressive to watch. Through the hard work of onballers Connor Leslie and Jedd Longmire the Roos managed to reverse the flow of the game setting up recruit Sam Dunstan for the first goal of the season.
The key defensive pillars in captain Joe Hansen, Brady Morton and Ryan Eyers all battled extremely hard. Their efforts were exceptional and given the quality of ball use inside 50 were able to keep their respective opponents relatively quiet.
Nick Wright provided the side with four quarters of hard work and elite contested football. In the end Albury were far too strong and ran out victors by 135 points.
The senior football playing and coaching group were very disappointed with execution of their internal KPI’s and will look to bring a far better brand of Roos’ football this coming weekend against the Rovers.
Awards: Connor Leslie, Joe Hansen, Brady Morton, Nick Wright, Jedd Longmire, Ryan Eyers.
Reserves
It was good to be back out on the John Foord Oval to play against the Albury Tigers in round 1 and fill all the 3 grades once again.
The game was going to be a tricky match-up against the reigning premiers’ first game, but the boys tried their best to give it to Albury, but they were proved to be too good for the Ressie boys.
There were some good individual performances, such as Ned Taylor, Sean Hanrahan, and new arrival Luke Arcrui getting plenty of the ball. We would like to thank all the boys who filled in from CDHBU and Blake Spencer’s mates.
Thirds
The U18s kicked off the day from a football perspective against a very disciplined and well coached Albury team.
Albury got off to a terrific start kicking four goals to one in the first quarter.
Corowa were able to settle their excitement and slowly work their way back into the contest on the back of some terrific intercept play from Luke Nicholson and Jay Lavis.
After the break Corowa dominated the possession in the 3rd however were unable to convert in front of goal. Three golden opportunities were missed allowing Albury to lead at the final break by a few goals.
Albury then proceeded to show their class, further adding to the margin.
Under 16’s pair Benji Hanrahan and Jordan Allan were terrific in their first games. They were well supported by Logan Wright and Judd Kuschert who fought hard throughout the game.
They now move forward to where they face last year’s grand-finalists in the Wang Rovers who are coming off a win against their cross town rivals.
Awards: Jay Lavis, Jordan Allan, Benji Hanrahan, Luke Nicholson, Lincoln Wright, Judd Kuschert.
Netball
We were thrilled to be back at John Foord Oval for round 1 this week with a full set of teams. Thanks to the many past players, parents and players who jumped in to help when asked.
A grade
Although we had very hot conditions for netball our A grade showed exceptional shooting and defensive pressure, forcing errors and pushing the ball out wide. The perseverance and cohesion of the team, despite the heat, saw the girls produce a convincing win.
Awards: Club 1 - Ella Kingston, Club 2 , India Fruenfelder, Canteen, Sophie Hanrahan. Lisa French shot 23 goals.
B grade
Started off very well against the Tigers, with midcourt winning a lot of ball early and defenders holding their own, to set up what was going to be a grind all day.
Our girls were right in the game up until the final quarter, as Albury gained a bit of momentum and nailing their shots on goal when it counted; the Roos going down in the end by 9 goals.
Thanks to Zali for benching for B grade as well and taking the court. There were a lot of positives to take away from the game, as our team is still building connections, and they displayed a lot of great netball for most of the game.
Awards: Tori Sampson, Courtney Haigh, Chloe Gilchrist.
C grade
Worked well in their first game together. Lots of great combinations in tough conditions. Thanks to Zali for joining the team this week, it was great to have you on board.
Awards: Eloise Black, Remy Longmire, Zali Spencer.
Under 17s
A great first win for this new team. Very proud of their efforts. Thanks to Laila and Tahlia for helping us out with a couple of girls away. Some great combinations work very well. The defence worked overtime. Awards:
Alex - used great movement in the ring, great holding positions making it easy for mid court to get the ball in.
Nellie - showed great pressure down the court and had hands over every ball, consistent throughout the whole game.
Sommers - Great defensive pressure in the ring getting turns overs and hands on ball.
Under 15s
Our 15 and under Roo girls started the game in a bundle of nerves, the first for the day to kick off the season for the Roo reset. They soon settled into much more controlled and strategic play against a quality Tigers side.
The Roo girls played in true Roo style, chasing all loose balls and applying generous pressure to the Tigers.
It was a proud team effort and the girls showed a never-quit-attitude. Every one of the girls stood up and challenged Albury in a hard-fought battle.
The scoreboard did not reflect the effort and positive energy that the girls displayed in warm conditions. A warm welcome to all the 15s legends, having broken into the O&M league and done it such gusto.
Bring on the rest of season 2024!
Awards: 1- Grace Milthorpe, 2 - Katelin Baker, 3 - Maci Coates.
Journalist